Sunday, July 5, 2015
The seismological bureau in Nanjing, Jiangsu province has officially established seven farms full of animals as seismic stations, reported Modern Express recently.
China Daily says feeders at the farms have to brief the bureau in Nanjing about the behaviour of the animals twice a day, or abnormal behaviour as soon as possible, through QQ, Chinese instant messaging software.
China Daily says feeders at the farms have to brief the bureau in Nanjing about the behaviour of the animals twice a day, or abnormal behaviour as soon as possible, through QQ, Chinese instant messaging software.
The bureau lists possible abnormal behaviour as chickens flying atop trees instead of eating, a large number of fish leaping out of water or many toads moving home, said Zhou Hongbing, a breeder turned earthquake observer at Banqiao Ecological Park, one of the refurbished animal farms.
To make sure the behaviour of animals is closely tracked, cameras are set up across the park which is home to 200 black boars, 2,000 chickens, and a fish pond of 6.6 hectares.
“Seismological experts will analyse reported abnormalities to decide whether or not a possible earthquake is imminent,” said Zhou, “When it’s too hot, chickens may also fly atop trees to seek cool shelter.”
Nanjing plans to transform seven more farms this year as seismic stations.
Possible animal farms need to house more than three species of animals. If there is a pond, it needs to cover dozens of hectares, so that we have enough samples to do cross checks, said Zhao Bing, division chief with Nanjing seismological bureau.
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To make sure the behaviour of animals is closely tracked, cameras are set up across the park which is home to 200 black boars, 2,000 chickens, and a fish pond of 6.6 hectares.
“Seismological experts will analyse reported abnormalities to decide whether or not a possible earthquake is imminent,” said Zhou, “When it’s too hot, chickens may also fly atop trees to seek cool shelter.”
Nanjing plans to transform seven more farms this year as seismic stations.
Possible animal farms need to house more than three species of animals. If there is a pond, it needs to cover dozens of hectares, so that we have enough samples to do cross checks, said Zhao Bing, division chief with Nanjing seismological bureau.
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Preferred farms should be in relatively quiet neighbourhoods away from factories or mines.
As early as the 1970s, 58 kinds of animals were found to display abnormal behaviour before earthquakes. They included wild and domesticated animals such as cats, dogs, pandas, fish, snakes, rats, ants and bees, according to a survey by the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Cave animals, such as rats and snakes, are found to be more sensitive than those living above the ground.
As early as the 1970s, 58 kinds of animals were found to display abnormal behaviour before earthquakes. They included wild and domesticated animals such as cats, dogs, pandas, fish, snakes, rats, ants and bees, according to a survey by the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Cave animals, such as rats and snakes, are found to be more sensitive than those living above the ground.
Records of quakes show that animals displayed abnormal behaviour before they occurred. For example, six weeks before the devastating earthquake in Yingkou, northeast China’s Liaoning province, in 1975, snakes in hibernation left their caves and geese kept honking and refusing to enter their nests.
Also before the deadly earthquake at Tangshan, Hebei province, hordes of rats were seen fleeing their nests.
Also before the deadly earthquake at Tangshan, Hebei province, hordes of rats were seen fleeing their nests.